Finidi George: NFF Set 2026 World Cup Target for New Super Eagles Coach

• Finidi George has been given his first target as the new Super Eagles coach
• The ex-Ajax star has been tasked with seeing Nigeria reach the World Cup
• They need to beat South Africa and Benin Republic in the June qualifiers

Finidi George has been tasked with ensuring the Super Eagles qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a target set by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) after confirmation of his appointment.

The NFF announced on Monday, April 29, that the former Ajax midfielder would take the reins of the national team permanently, after a long search to find Jose Peseiro’s successor.

According to Complete Sports, NFF Technical Committee member, Victor Ikpeba, confirmed the target given to Finidi, stating the football body is backing the coach to turn Nigeria’s fortunes around in the World Cup qualifiers.

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"We are on the back foot after we drew our first two World Cup qualifiers and so we have to win the next games. We have the players and if Finidi can get the best out of them, we will qualify for the World Cup."

The Super Eagles, who are winless in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers after two games, are presently third in Group C with two points, behind Rwanda and South Africa.

Nigeria face must-win qualifiers

Meanwhile, Nigeria face two must-win games when the 2026 World Cup qualifiers resume in June, against South Africa and Benin Republic, to keep their hopes of qualifying alive.

The three-time African champions will host Bafana Bafana on June 7 before facing the Squirrels of Benin a few days later in Ivory Coast, Daily Post reports.

Nigeria, who have been to the World Cup four times in the past, missed out on qualifying for the 2022 tournament in Qatar after Ghana edged the Super Eagles to pick up the final ticket.

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Finidi opts for foreign assistant

Earlier, Sports Brief reported on claims that Finidi wants a foreigner as his assistant after being awarded the Super Eagles coaching job permanently by the NFF.

The former Real Betis midfielder took temporary charge of the national team in March after the departure of Peseiro, whom he worked under for almost two years.

Finidi has reportedly been given free rein by the NFF to select his backroom team and it is believed the Enyimba coach will pick a foreigner as his coaching assistant.